Thursday, April 14, 2016

February 1719. Letter from Alexander Spotswood To my Lord Cartwright
concerning the dangers threatening the neighborhood and the rescue of
trade in North Carolina from the insults of pirates.

"...That about the beginning of last June, one Capt. Thatch, a Notorious
Pyrate, refused to accept of his Majesty's pardon offered him by the
Governor of South Carolina about eight days before he Lost his Ship at
Topsall Inlett, with one of the four Sloops he had in his Company, upon
w'ch he and his Crew pretend to Surrender to the Governor of No.
Carolina, most of his people dispersed, some going towards Pensilvania
and New York, and others betaking themselves to their former Villanies,
under the Command of Major Bonnet Thatch, w'th about 20 more, remained
in No. Carolina, and kept one of the Sloops, pretending to Employ
themselves in Trade, but both their discourses and Actions plainly
show'd the wickedness of their Designs. The Inclosed Affidavit of one of
the Inhabitants of that province, and M'r of a Vessell there, will best
display Thatch's insolent behaviour, and how little sensible that
Abandoned Crew were of the Clemency they had received. Upon the repeated
Applications of Trading People of that Province, and the Advice that
Tach had taken and brought in hither a Ship Laden w'th Sugar and Cocoa
without either men or Papers, I thought it necessary to put a Stop to ye
further Progress of the Robberys, and for that purpose, having
prevailed with our Assembly to give considerable Rewards for the
Apprehending and destroying of these and other Pirates I hired two
Sloops, furnished them w'th Pilotts from Carolina, concerted w'th the
Capt's of his Maj'ty's Ships of this Station the proper Measures for
extirpating that Gang of Pyrates. These Sloops, fitted with Men and
Officers from the King's Ships, Came up with Tach at Oecceh inlett on ye
22nd Nov'r last, and after an obstinate Resistance, wherein Tach, w'th
nine of his men, were killed, and nine more made prisoners, and took his
Sloop, w'ch was mounted w'th 8 Guns, and in all other respects fitted
rather for piracy than Trade. The prisoners have been brought hither and
Tryed, and it plainly appears that the Ship they brought into Carolina
was, after the date of his Majesty's pardon, taken from the Subjects of
France upon the high Seas, near the Island of Bermuda, and the Men put
on Board another ship of the same Nation taken at the same time, and was
not a Wreck, as Tach persuaded the Governm't of your Lord'p's Province
to believe." He went on to explain that the project of suppressing the
pirates should have been concealed and put into execution without the
participation of the Governor because his house was located in a thinly
populated area and should the pirates learn of the plan, the Governor
could not defend himself. The stolen goods of Capt. Thatch were
inventoried and brought into the colony and a Court of Admiralty held
and claims made as to who had rights to the goods. Twelve men were
killed and twenty two wounded in the capture of Thatch. On March 11,
1718, a report was made that the crew of Edward Thatch taken on board
of his Sloop remain in prison for piracy and that their trail was
delayed until winter was over and there would be a full Council for a
more solemn Examination of the several pirates "of which these and the
rest of that Crew have been Guilty. That he judged this the more
necessary because he finds Reports are Industriously spread abroad that
Thatch and his Crew were not only within the benefit of his Majestys
late pardon; but that the Sloops were fitted out for taking them after
the said pardon was actually arrived here."

Edward Teach, known as Edward Thatch and "Blackbeard" The Pirate, was
known to have buried treasure near Elizabeth City on many occasions,
called "Treasure Point".

Pasquotank County Wills and Estates

Pasquotank was formed as early as 1668 as a precinct of Albemarle
County. Its name is derived from an Indian word pasketanki which meant
"where the current of the stream divides or forks." It is in the
northeastern section of the State and is bounded by Albemarle Sound and
Perquimans. Gates, and Camden counties. In 1799 Elizabeth (City) Town
was made the county seat and on June 6, 1800, the first court was held
there. Elizabeth City was first called Redding, which was established in
1793. Redding was changed to Elizabeth Town in 1794, and Elizabeth Town
was changed to Elizabeth City in l801.

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About Me

After having researched multiple families from much has been learned about the pivotal roles which each o them played in building America. Everyone's ancestor whether in the history books or not, helped to build this country. I have probably traced over 100,000 names and am so familiar with the early colonists that I can just about open a discussion about any ancestor in the Southeast regions. If done properly, a tedious research will unfold the daily lives of each subject. I suppose that I am a fanatic now, however, an awareness of the experiences of your and my ancestors makes the history of America precious. I could sit down and talk (just about any) colonial ancestor with you. Hence, the desire to share my information with you. My researches are all heavily documented and I have discovered the intricate details which others cannot find. Jeannette Holland Austin www.georgiapioneers.com